Whether you have a disabled friend or family member or you desire to improve the accessibility of your business, wheelchair ramps are not that complicated to construct. Though they will require a few materials and a little hard work, making your home or business more easily accessible to everyone is well worth your time.
Some of the materials you will need when constructing wheelchair ramps include: pressure treated wooden boards, galvanised roofing nails and shims. Additionally, the task will require a framing nailer, chop saw, level, circular saw, power drill, masonry bit and a belt sander. Below is the step-by-step process necessary for building a proper wheelchair ramp and landing.
First Step: Cut Your Frame Pieces
Utilise pressure treated wood along with galvanised roofing nails in order to withstand the elements of the outdoors. Most countries have websites in which you can locate guidelines for the standards set for disabled individuals. Generally, a landing of this type should be at least more than 1.5 metres by 1.5 metres. This allows sufficient room for someone who is wheelchair- bound to do a complete turnaround or circle without becoming stuck. Using a chop saw, you can cut your frame pieces to the proper size.
Second Step: Create Your Frame
With a framing nailer, you can easily assemble each of the pieces of wood necessary to create your frame. To add more support along with enhanced stability to wheelchair ramps, it is recommended that you cut and attach cross joints to the inside of your frame for every 16 inches of wood space.
Third Step: Assemble Your Frame into Place
Following the construction of your deck frame, you will need to place it flush along the edge of your structure’s doorway as well as the concrete. In order to check to ensure that it is completely level, utilise your leveler to check both the horizontal and vertical alignment. If more assistance is required for the levelling process, you can add some shims of pressure treated wood anywhere they are needed to level up. This will also offer much needed ventilation to your wheelchair ramp structure.
Fourth Step: Attach Your Frame to Your Structure and Create Supports
Channel the nail gun in between the joists and place a nail for approximately every eight inches of wood spacing. The distance between nails will ensure deck security. To create the ramp correctly, measure the distance from the top of your landing down to the concrete base and cut three boards utilising this measurement on a single end while angling the cut down to a point. Then, you will need to fasten the three ramp supports to the landing frame’s side.
Fifth Step: Add Braces and Deck Planks
Making a stable ramp requires wood cross braces between each of the three ramp supports. You will need to secure these to the concrete. Next, you will add the deck planks across your ramps and landing frame. It is suggested that you begin by placing a full board where the ramp’s angle changes.
After all of your planks are set in place, you may finally complete the last step of trimming off any overhang with your circular saw in order to even everything up.
A Better Alternative
The alternative to all this hard DIY work is to buy a ready made modular access ramp. These ramps are easily installed, strong, durable with handrails and anti-slip tread. They can be fitted in the most difficult of locations (or by one of our fitters). Disabled ramps don’t have to be difficult so request a call back today and to get a free quote.